The Royal Couple receive HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima in Denmark from 17-19 March 2015. The State Visit will focus on a theme that is central to both countries: the green innovative growth agenda. The State Visit will also include the two countries’ cooperation in the areas medico- and education sectors.

HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima were in Denmark in 2013 on a short official visit as part of a number of first visits, carried out by the Royal Couple following the coronation in The Netherlands. The aim of the upcoming State Visit is to strengthen the relations and the common interests between Denmark and The Netherlands. The programme provides opportunities for exchange of experiences concerning green innovative growth as well as focusing on the medico- and the education sectors. Denmark’s capabilities in these areas will be presented for the official delegation and the business delegation with about 40 companies following the Royal Couple The Netherlands.
 

Following the official welcome in Vilhelm Lauridsen’s Terminal the Royal Couple will arrive at Fredensborg Castle. HM Queen and HRH the Prince Consort will be hosting a Gala Dinner at Christiansborg Castle in the evening.

On the second day of the State Visit HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima accompanied by the Danish Crown Prince Couple will visit the island Samsø. Samsø is 100 pct. self-sufficient with renewable energy. For many years the island has worked towards becoming a green model society by focusing on renewable energy-sources owned and run by the islanders themselves, as well as on organic products and green sustainable energy in the island community. After the official welcome by Samsø’s mayor the Royal Couple will visit the island’s green innovative solutions, and go into detail about the green solutions where both countries are keen on cooperation in the future. There will e.g. be a visit to the consumer-owned district heating plant based on straw, Ballen-Bundby, that delivers energy to 290 households, three hotels and three companies on the island. The Royal Couple and the Crown Prince Couple will also visit Samsø Efterskole (continuation school), where energy supply and green solutions as well as nature are in focus during the students’ stay. The visit on the island ends with a visit to Samsø’s Energiakademi (Energy Academy) with round table discussions and lessons learned from the green day followed by lunch featuring the island’s specialities and local products illustrating the local community’s ideas of self-sufficiency.

During the State Visit HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima will also meet with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt at Christiansborg Castle. In Copenhagen the Royal Couple will also visit Bispebjerg Hospital, that is in the middle of a major development in structuring as well as in the design area.  Both Danish and Dutch companies will demonstrate how they each can contribute to the project creating the hospitals of the future.
At Aalborg University, Campus Copenhagen, there will be a session dealing with the social similarities between the two countries. Denmark and The Netherlands are both featuring high in “World Happiness Index” and on the occasion of the State Visit the university in cooperation with its students as well as their Dutch exchange-students focus on that topic.

18 March HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima are hosting a return arrangement where the cultural feature will be modern dance performed by ICKamsterdam (International Choreographic Arts Centre for contemporary dance).

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